Contributed by Lauren Smith, MTank Director, ELP Cohort 2024-2025, Master’s in Dance
On Friday, March 27, 2026, the Michigan Union was transformed into a high-energy hub of innovation as MPowered Entrepreneurship hosted the annual MTank Pitch Competition. As the university’s largest and oldest entrepreneurship organization, having exposed over 15,000 students to the startup world, MPowered designed MTank to mirror the high-stakes environment of Shark Tank. This year’s pitch competition saw over 30 student ventures embark on a rigorous journey of refining business models and honing their pitches. After a highly competitive first round, 15 teams advanced to the semi-finals, with the top seven finalists ultimately taking the stage in Room 2210 ABC to compete for funding, prestige, and live expert feedback.
The final event was an electric showcase of talent, featuring finalists CRWN, Emanate, Flowly AI, GaitWay, Helping Hand AI, OpenFashion, and Tinu AI. The founders presented their visions to an esteemed panel of Sharks: Jovan Osborne, Erica Murdock, Ronald Smith, and Richard Smith. Each Shark contributed world-class expertise and thoughtful critiques, providing a masterclass in entrepreneurship for the finalists and the audience alike. Set to a sensational soundtrack by DJ Darian Hanjan (MTank Marketing Co-Lead), the evening celebrated a wide range of industries, culminating in GaitWay taking home the first-place grand prize ($1500). Flowly AI placed second ($1000), while CRWN placed third ($500). Highlighting the unique intersection of innovation and the arts, Emanate was honored with the Creative, Arts-Oriented Venture Prize, a special award funded by the School of Music, Theatre & Dance’s Department of Entrepreneurship & Leadership and the EXCEL Lab.
This year’s MTank Pitch Competition was led by Director Lauren Blair Smith and a dedicated student team, including Aarav Dugar, Darian Hanjan, Nick Harris, Fiona Jobson, Antoinette Lowy, Halley Maglio, Pun Punyasavatsut, Masson Sam, and Patrick Wang. MTank 2026’s success was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: the U-M Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE), Red Bull, the SMTD Department of Entrepreneurship & Leadership, and the EXCEL Lab, Otto’s Arcade, Frita Batidos, Underground Printing, and The Impact Studio. From the high-caliber pitches to the excitement of the audience raffle for CFE swag bags, MTank 2026 proved that the entrepreneurial spirit at Michigan is stronger than ever, leaving both participants and attendees inspired to keep building the future.
MTank is modeled after ABC’s famous Shark Tank. MPowered students held their own pitch competition, featuring a lineup of impressive student-led startup projects. Learn more about MPowered Entrepreneurship.